What's New

By
Compiled from the wiresStephanie Cook /
May 9, 2000

Can campus groups discriminate?

Boston - Debate is heating up over whether colleges should require campus Christian groups to allow gays to hold leadership posts. Last month, Tufts University student Julie Catalano tried for one with the campus Christian Fellowship, but leaders turned her down because she doesn't believe homosexual acts are sinful. In response, Tufts' student government ruled the group had violated an antidiscrimination policy. It stripped the group of its name and $6,000 in funding from student fees. The decision is being appealed within Tufts' student government. At issue is whether religion was used to justify discrimination when similar groups may be legally allowed to discriminate, especially when choosing leaders who set policy. For instance, a campus gay group could be within its rights to forbid someone with antigay views to run for office. Similar debates are cropping up at Middlebury College in Vermont and Grinnell College in Iowa.

Hispanic and black parents are far more likely than white parents to consider a college education the most important ingredient for a child's success, the New York-based Public Agenda reported. Its poll of the general public and high school parents found that 65 percent of Hispanic parents and 47 percent of black parents considered college the most vital element for success. Only 35 percent of the public and 33 percent of white parents agreed. They instead saw attributes such as knowing how to get along with people, having a good work ethic, and gaining skills on the job as most crucial for success.

Bringing Mexican heritage to classrooms

Los angeles - The Mexican government donated more than 44,000 new Spanish-language textbooks to Los Angeles schools last week in an effort to reinforce its language and history north of the border. Elementary schools will each receive 52 books in subjects such as math, natural science, and Mexican history identical to those used by many children in Mexico. It's up to schools to decide whether to use them, but officials hope teachers will apply them to social-studies lessons, giving the growing number of Latino children a link to the culture.